Rondo could sit to prepare for playoffs

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers is giving serious thoughts to giving point guard Rajon Rondo extended rest as he prepares for the playoffs.

Rivers gave “strategic rest sessions” to Kevin Garnett last season. The result boosted the Celtics into the NBA Finals, despite not having homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference.

A similar move could be in the works with Rondo, who is averaging a team-best 39.3 minutes, 11.4 points per game and a league-best 14.1 assists per game. But Rondo has been hampered by a sore left hamstring injury and chronic plantar fasciitis in both feet, causing him to miss four of the Celtics’ first 20 games.

Not only is Rondo questionable for Wednesday’s game against Denver, Rivers is considering more rest than merely shutting him down for more than a game or two.

“That may come at some point,” Rivers told Comcast Sports Network.com “I don’t think it’s a bad suggestion. It has been suggested already, I can tell you that.”

It’s a wise decision by Rivers. His chances of winning the franchise’s 18th championship hinge more on a healthy Rondo for the playoffs than homecourt advantage for those series.

As much as they need Rondo to continue his season-long binge from the point, he will be much more valuable for them in the playoffs.